Mountain lion sighted in Los Angeles' Griffith Park

May 24: A photo provided bv the Hesperia Code Enforcement shows a mountain lion peering from his hiding place inside a family's garage in Hesperia, Calif. The mountain lion was eventually sedated by California State Fish and Game Biologists and released back into the wild. (AP/Hesperia Code Enforcement)

A mountain lion has been prowling Griffith Park, the first definitive proof that a cougar lives in the Los Angeles park surrounded by urbanization.

There have long been rumors that mountain lions inhabit the popular city park.

But wildlife biologists had said it was unlikely the cougars would cross freeways to get there.

Now, there are photographs taken by remote-controlled cameras.

Biologists say the 3-year-old cougar probably came from farther west in the Santa Monica Mountains in mid-February.

National Park Service biologist Jeff Sikich tells the Los Angeles Times that a mountain lion living in Griffith Park is significant because the park is surrounded by urbanization.

Experts say the cougar shouldn't pose any danger to humans because they are solitary creatures that usually avoid human contact.